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Wednesday, June 30, 2010

I was reminded that I forgot that I promised to do a tutorial on the Circle Slit Border! So, here it is! After seeing this, you will definitely want this punch! It is one that is not to be missed. Of course, I may be bias. ;) The FREE tutorial follows the recipe. I will also miss the Polka-Dot ribbons. They are some of my favorites!

I had the Uncle Sam punch piece sitting on my desk for the last couple of weeks from when I was entertaining thoughts of using it for my July 4th BBQ invitations - until I realized I had to make more than 30! So I decided to use him and make yet another patriotic card for your Circle Slit Border tutorial. But I think this one's a keeper! For the main card front, I used the Silver Foil Smooch Spray on the Night of Navy front piece and scallop oval punch. It looks beautiful and shimmery - unfortunately I could not capture it's beauty with the camera. The sentiment is from the darling Red, White & Blue Wheel in the Summer Mini. There are so many areas of that stamp to highlight and I am sure getting a lot of bang for my back with this one. I just love it!

Items in red are retiring today, June 30, 2010 or while supplies last for all but stamps.

UNCLE SAM PUNCH DIRECTIONS:

Hair - Punch one Scallop Circle from Whisper White.

Face - Punch one 1-3/8" Circle from Blush Blossom.

Eyes - Punch two 3/8" Circles from Whisper White and two from Ballet Blue with the Crop-a-Dile. Adhere offset with Mini Glue Dots.

Nose - Punch one Small Heart from Blush Blossom. Cut in half and then cut the tip off the end. Sand to round any rough edges.

Mustache - Punch a small portion of the Curly Label punch from Whisper White as shown in picture. Punch again above the first so that the resulting punch looks like the finished one pictured above. I used the longer side for mine, but you can use the short side for a shorter mustache. For the mouth below the mustache, use a small piece of a 1/2" Circle punched from Real Red.

Goatee - Punch a very small portion of the 1-3/8" Circle Punch on the edge of Whisper White cardstock as pictured. Then use the Scallop Oval punch to punch above and around the Circle punch as shown.

Star - Stamp the star from the July Fourth stamp set in Daffodil Delight. Punch out a section with the Star punch.

CIRCLE SLIT BORDER TECHNIQUE:(click pictures to enlarge)

1. Cut a piece of cardstock 5.5" x 1.5". I used a lighter piece for the tutorial so that you could see the pencil marks. Lie the piece on Grid paper for easy measuring and place pencil dots in the middle of the paper as shown at the following increments: 1/2", 1-1/4", 2", 2-3/4", 3-1/2", 4-1/4", 5". If using grid paper, this is basically at 2 squares, then after three squares for the rest of the piece.

2. Use your Slit Punch pushing it all the way up and centering the first pencil mark in the punch window. When punching, the cardstock almost gets "caught" in the punch. Just use your fingernail to press it back down and slide out the punch. Repeat at each mark.

3. The resulting piece will look like this one to the right. When finished, be sure to erase all your pencil marks.

4. Bend the the piece back along the slit edge and crease sharply with a bone folder. It will look like this:

5. Place adhesive on either side of the inside edges being careful not to get it on the "circle" areas.

6. Cut a card base at 8" x 5.5" and score at 3.75". Slide your Circle Slit Border piece over the edge of the shorter end of the card.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Warning... non-stamping post ahead. :o) While I was busy papercrafting away for our July 4th BBQ last week, my husband and daughter, Colleen, were busy woodcrafting for the BBQ! We have had plans to build a cornhole game for a couple of years now and I even purchased the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots stickers for hubby last year. However, he had not gotten around to building it yet.

When Colleen expressed an interest in learning to make furniture, her dad thought that this would be a perfect introductory woodworking project! They were able to build them in only one day. However, the painting and acrylic took quite a bit longer with many coats over two weeks. I think their efforts were worth it though - don't you? They look FANTASTIC! And we'll have a great time playing them next Sunday - come on by and help us celebrate!

I even got into the fun by making up the rule sheet and applying the stickers!

Monday, June 28, 2010

Since today is my first blogiversary, I thought it would be the perfect day to "revisit" it's origins for today's project! My first post was of my annual July 4th BBQ invitations. So today, I will share this year's July 4th invitations. I went through many versions in coming up with one! I originally planned on using the Honoring Old Glory card design I posted a few weeks ago. I quickly decided that hand-markering that stamp for over 30 invitations was not going to fly and time was growing short! I tried several other options, with each one getting easier and easier.

Ultimately, I went with this CAS invitation until I ran out of the retiring Brilliant Blue cardstock:

Then for the remaining invitations, I went with this variation:

Here is another version I entertained:

Here is a group shot that includes a couple I didn't get individual shots of and still only a few of the many I came up with:

Wow, it sure does go by quickly - much of it is a blur! I want to thank all my supporters - my customers, my readers, my downline and upline, my friends with Stampin' Up! and most of all my family. I so appreciate the support you all have given me and could not have succeeded without you! I hope you get some enjoyment and "inspiration" from my blog.

In honor of the anniversary, I have done a little update of my blog appearance. I haven't been able to decide on a background though. I need your help! If you are a subscriber, please click through and check out my new design!

To celebrate, I will be giving away some BLOG CANDY!

To enter, just leave a comment on this post letting me know what you think about my new blog update, vote on which background you like the best (current Baroque Butterflies, Polka Dots or Melon Mambo), and/or voice any other suggestions that you have. Honest opinions are very much appreciated! Winners will be chosen from the comments via the random number generator on Monday, July 5. Here are the other backgrounds I am considering (click for larger view):

Black Polka Dots

Melon Mambo Textured

But, wait! That's not all...

I am giving away FREE STAMP SETS to the first 5 people who place orders of $75 or more on my website this week!

AND... 2 FREE STAMP SETS to the first person to JOIN MY TEAM this week!

FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED for stamp choice determined by the date/time that your order is closed or online contract signed on my Stampin' Up website! I will email you for your choice after your order is placed. Orders must be placed by Monday, July 5, 2010 to be eligible.

The card reader on my computer is being temperamental today, so I will update this post with pictures of your available stamp set choices later - be sure to check back!

Sunday, June 27, 2010

This is my final Sneak Peek Project, but don't despair! The new catalog begins on Thursday, July 1, and there will be lots of new projects coming throughout the summer. Get together a few friends for a workshop and I will show you some great techniques and fabulous new projects you will love!

For this project, I went Clean & Simple again. So unlike me to do this many in such a short time! :o) But I wanted to use this Greenhouse Gala DSP and it is such a striking, graphic pattern that I felt the card needed to be very simple with the focus on this beautiful paper!

For the medallion, I used the Thanks stamp from the Perfect Punches stamp set. It is one single stamp, but I wanted to pop it out a bit. So I hand-colored it and stamped it and punched it out with the Scallop Oval Punch. Then I covered the piece with VersaMark (direct to paper) and embossed it with Iridescent Embossing Powder. I adhered that to the Scallop Oval Punch Window piece from the Movers & Shakers set. You can see the piece so far below the recipe. Then I colored only the "Thanks" with a marker, stamped it and punched it out with the Small Oval Punch and popped it out on dimensionals. Finally, I rimmed the edge with the 2-way Glue Pen and embossed that with the Iridescent Embossing Powder as well.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Another hot day here in Virginia Beach! And the next two days will be even hotter! Went to a nice cookout with friends for the day and then went right to work on today's Sneak Peek Project #6 for you. You all may have noticed that I love Black & White design. So back to the pool for today's card. I think it would work well for Anniversaries, Weddings, a more masculine Valentine's Day or Just Because.

I went for a very simplistic card with some vintage flair, again using the awesome Newsprint DSP and Artistic Etchings stamp set. The sentiment is from the upcoming Hostess Level III Occasional Quotes stamp set - another awesome stamp set. I also used one of my favorite ribbon styles - the 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain. I am so happy it is staying in the line as so many of our ribbons are retiring on June 30. Even better, beginning July 1, it will be available in lots of new yummy colors: Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Rich Razzleberry, Night of Navy, Marina Mist, Certainly Celery, Early Espresso (replacing Chocolate Chip) in addition to our current colors. Hope you enjoy it!

Friday, June 25, 2010

Your Sneak Peek Week is almost over! And that means that it is almost time for the new catalog to begin. Yippee - such an exciting time of the year! Since it is CAS Friday, Sneak Peek Project #5 is a quick and easy one. I decided to use the Greenhouse Gala DSP and Friends Never Fade stamp set again - this time with a different color scheme, layout and stamp. I also used our new 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch. Gotta love new punches! Enjoy!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Sorry I am posting so late! Today has been a crazy day! I was at the Naval Hospital all day for nutrition class and a doctors appointment. Then Michael and Colleen and I went to see Toy Story 3 (so adorable!) and didn't get home until 10:30, so I am just now getting the chance to post.

For Sneak Peek Project #4, I used the Friends Never Fade stamp set and the Greenhouse Gala DSP. These two are made for each other! Many of the papers have the same or similar images as those in the stamp set. A match made in heaven! Can't wait to play with them again... maybe tomorrow! The Scallop Trim Border Punch, previewed during Sale-a-Bration, will now be available again beginning July 1. Love that punch! Enjoy your Sneak Peek!

Only 7 days left to join Stampin’ Up! for only $99 - FABULOUS deal! Our limited-time Starter Kit comes with products from the new Idea Book & Catalog so you don’t have to worry about purchasing retiring products. Join Stampin’ Up! and get new products for only $99—does it get more exciting than that?

Limited-Time $99 Starter Kit

STARTER KIT

Stamp sets (3 sets: Watercolor Trio (wood-mount), I {Heart} Hearts (clear-mount), and Homemade*, OR 3 sets of your choice at the same or lower price)

* Some items in this add-on configuration will retire at the end of June. Let me help you configure a kit with the best choices for YOU!

Look at the brand-new sneak peek items available in this limited-time Starter Kit!

Not sure if this is for you? For more information including FAQs, Team Benefits and Types of Demonstrators, please see this page: Why Become a Demonstrator?.Contact me anytime for more info or if you would like to join online, just CLICK HERE and click on the join now button. You will need my password. It is mariestampsalot.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

For my Sneak Peek Project #3, I went for a little bit of a vintage Paris theme. Not full-blown vintage as it is not my strongest style, but just a bit. I wish I had preordered the 1/8" ribbon in black as well, because I would have loved to layer it on top of the other two ribbons for a little more graphic lines. But, alas, I had went with only the new colors. So many great products - I had to pick and choose this time! And after I had finished the card, I thought - How awesome would it have been if I had stamped the DSP lightly with the En Francais stamp in gray or Cherry Cobbler? That would have amped up the vintage factor... oh, well - next time!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

For Sneak Peek #2, I thought I would show you the bargello technique. Unless you are a needlepoint fan, you may not have heard of Bargello, but you will probably recognize it when you see it. Bargello is a long, straight stitch in needlepoint, arranged so as to produce interesting patterns - often a zigzag or flame-like pattern. While it is traditionally done with wool on canvas, papercrafters use bargello to create unique and fascinating patterns for cards and projects. They really add the WOW factor!

The bargello technique works best with striped papers. However, when I saw the zigzag pattern in the new Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper, I knew I had to try it out with this technique just to see how it would work. Not as nice as stripes and definitely more challenging, but it is a fun, modern look. With the zigzags you are constantly dealing with the optical illusion that the strips are crooked or not aligned right. Stampin' Up Grid Paper to the rescue - I never stamp without it! It made it much easier to get it right. It is definitely all even now, but it sure doesn't look that way! With that crazy pattern, I thought it best to keep the rest of the card pretty simple. So I just added the ribbon and the stamped medallion featuring the upcoming Perfect Punches stamp set. I always love stamp sets that coordinate with our punches! Can't wait to share more of them with you. Enjoy!

Cut Designer Series paper into strips of varying widths. For this project, I cut 1/2" strips . Tip: When cutting pieces this narrow, it is easier to measure the cut by moving your paper down by the width you are trying to achieve each time. For example, for my 1/2" strips, I began with a 12" wide piece of paper. I then lined it up at 11-1/2" mark and cut resulting in a 1/2" strip. Then I moved the paper down to 11" and cut, etc.

The papers should be longer than your desired finished length to allow for the strips to be moved up and down for the pattern.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Here's your first SNEAK PEEK project! Well, maybe that's not entirely accurate since I did sneak an upcoming product in each of my Art of Punch Art cards last week. But this is the first "official" sneak peek project featuring several new products and colors.

The featured stamp set is one of our new Hostess sets. Beginning July 1, you can choose this set for FREE with any workshop or order over $150! It is a beautiful stamp set. I am in love with this hydrangea! One of my first Stampin' Up! sets many years ago was the two-step Hydrangea set. I am tickled that they have a new one for me to play with. The image of the flower is gorgeous all on it's own, but what I really love is that it has a separate stamp that is a single blossom. That way you can "pop out" some of the flowers on the hydrangea, if desired. Which is exactly what I did!

For my card, I stamped the hydrangea once and watercolored it. Then I masked it and stamped the En Francais background stamp in Marina Mist. Then I sprayed Silver Foil Smooch Spray over the panel. I was a little heavy-handed - I should have had the sprayer further away from the panel. Oops! Then I stamped and colored another Hydrangea head and popped that out on dimensionals. Finally I stamped, colored and cut out 18 of the single flowers that I popped out at different heights with stampin' dimensionals (halves) and one or two layers of mini-glue dots so that it looks like a mound. Lots of work, but I cut all the flowers while watching TV, so it wasn't too bad. And I think it was worth it! What about you?

Our FABULOUS new 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog will be released on July 1! This full-color catalog will feature over 220 pages of Stampin’ Up including new stamp sets, accessories, and tons of ideas! You will find links to the online version of our new Catalog on my blog on July 1, so be sure to check back then!

This week, from June 21-27, I will have a new Sneak Peek project for you each day. Still not enough? Want your own copy of the new catalog? There are several ways you can get your very own catty sent to you.

#1 Reserve a Catalog

Preorder here by clicking on the Paypal link below and as soon as my catalogs arrive (end of June/early July), I will be shipping them out in the order the orders are received. The catalog is my GIFT to you! The $5 charge is for shipping only. These are intended for those who are or intend to be my customers, please.

#2 Book a Workshop

Call me to set your date for a workshop with me for a fun time with you and your friends and get your catalog for FREE.

#3 Place a $100 Order in June

This can be made online or through me. This must be a single $100 order (pre-shipping and tax), not cumulative orders. However, if you have made $150 in cumulative orders in the past year (July 2009-June 2010), just let me know that you don't have another demonstrator giving you a catalog and that you want one and it will be on it's way to you.

#4 Local Customers

Customers who live locally, Stamp Club members or those who will be attending my Tropical New Catalog Open House Party in July, simply email me to RESERVE your catalog and let me know you'll be picking it up from me.

Restrictions/Limitations:

Due to Stampin' Up!'s policies, only US residents (or APO/FPO military) may order from US demonstrators or receive US catalogs.

If you are a customer of mine and place an online order with a different demonstrator, Stampin' Up!'s system automatically removes your name from my database and puts you in the other demo's database. I have no way of accessing your info once you are removed which means I have no way to send you your catalog.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Happy Father's Day, everyone! And especially to my Dad, Harry, my FIL, Dick, and my sweet hubby, Michael. Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a Daddy. And these three men are definitely special! Love you all! A few pictures of my favorite dads are at the end of the post.

Jenni made this card for her dad for Father's Day. We each had a shirt idea on our own without consulting the other! :o) She used retired paper as she loved the colors and pattern for the tie. She also used the Eight Great Greetings stamp set that will be retiring on June 30. Don't miss out on this cute set - it covers many occasions!

This is the personal blog of Marie Shaughnessy, an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

The content of this blog is my sole responsibility as an independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator and the use of, and content of the classes, services, or products offered on this blog are not endorsed by Stampin' Up!